Language/Hebrew/Grammar/Pronouns

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Hebrew → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Hebrew Grammar → Pronouns

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on Hebrew pronouns! Pronouns are an essential part of any language, including Hebrew. They help us refer to people, objects, and ideas without having to repeat their names over and over again. In this lesson, we will explore the different types of pronouns in Hebrew and learn how to use them in sentences. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of Hebrew pronouns and be able to incorporate them into your conversations. Let's get started!

Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns in Hebrew are used to refer to specific individuals or groups of people. They can be used as subjects or objects in a sentence, depending on their role. Here are the personal pronouns in Hebrew:

Hebrew	Pronunciation	English
אני	ani	I
אתה	atah	you (singular, masculine)
את	at	you (singular, feminine)
הוא	hu	he
היא	hi	she
אנחנו	anachnu	we
אתם	atem	you (plural, masculine)
אתן	aten	you (plural, feminine)
הם	hem	they (masculine)
הן	hen	they (feminine)

Here are a few examples of personal pronouns in action:

• אני אוהבת את הספר. (Ani ohevet et hasefer.) - I love the book.
• אתה ילד טוב. (Atah yeled tov.) - You are a good boy.
• היא רואה אותי. (Hi ro'ah oti.) - She sees me.
• אנחנו לומדים עברית. (Anachnu lomedim ivrit.) - We are learning Hebrew.
• הם רוצים לראות אתכם. (Hem rotzim lir'ot etchem.) - They want to see you (plural, masculine).

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns in Hebrew are used to point to or indicate specific people, objects, or ideas. They can be used to indicate proximity (this, these) or distance (that, those). Here are the demonstrative pronouns in Hebrew:

Hebrew	Pronunciation	English
זה	ze	this
זו	zo	this
אלה	eleh	these
הוא	hu	that (masculine)
היא	hi	that (feminine)
אלה	eleh	those

Here are a few examples of demonstrative pronouns in action:

• זה הכלב שלי. (Ze haklav sheli.) - This is my dog.
• זו הפרחה היפה ביותר. (Zo hapracha hayafa beyoter.) - This is the most beautiful flower.
• אלה הספרים שלנו. (Eleh hasfarim shelanu.) - These are our books.
• הוא לא אנשים טובים. (Hu lo anashim tovim.) - He is not a good person.
• היא לא באה לכאן. (Hi lo ba'a lkan.) - She is not coming here.
• אלה הפרפרים שראיתי אתמול. (Eleh haparparim shera'iti etmol.) - Those are the butterflies I saw yesterday.

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns in Hebrew are used to indicate ownership or possession. They replace the need to use a noun and a possessive adjective together. Here are the possessive pronouns in Hebrew:

Hebrew	Pronunciation	English
שלי	sheli	mine
שלך	shelcha	yours (singular, masculine)
שלך	shelach	yours (singular, feminine)
שלו	shelav	his
שלה	shela	hers
שלנו	shelanu	ours
שלכם	shelachem	yours (plural, masculine)
שלכן	shelachen	yours (plural, feminine)
שלהם	shelahem	theirs (masculine)
שלהן	shelahen	theirs (feminine)

Here are a few examples of possessive pronouns in action:

• הספר הזה הוא שלי. (Hasfar hazeh hu sheli.) - This book is mine.
• הבית הזה הוא שלך. (Habayit hazeh hu shelcha.) - This house is yours.
• הרכב הזה הוא שלה. (Harechev hazeh hu shela.) - This car is hers.
• המכונית הזו היא שלנו. (Hamachonit hazo hi shelanu.) - This car is ours.
• המזוודות האלה הן שלכם. (Hamizvadot ha'ele hen shelachem.) - Those suitcases are yours.
• הכלבים האלה הם שלהם. (Haklavim ha'ele hem shelahem.) - Those dogs are theirs.

Interrogative Pronouns

Interrogative pronouns in Hebrew are used to ask questions about people, objects, or ideas. They help us gather specific information. Here are the interrogative pronouns in Hebrew:

Hebrew	Pronunciation	English
מי	mi	who
מה	ma	what
איזה	eyze	which

Here are a few examples of interrogative pronouns in action:

• מי זה? (Mi ze?) - Who is this?
• מה זה? (Ma ze?) - What is this?
• איזה ספר אתה קורא? (Eyze sefer atah kore?) - Which book are you reading?

Cultural Insight

In Hebrew, it is common to use pronouns to address people politely or respectfully. This is especially true when speaking to someone older or in a position of authority. Using the appropriate pronouns can show respect and create a positive impression. For example, when addressing a stranger or someone you don't know well, it is customary to use the pronoun אתה (atah) for a man and את (at) for a woman. However, when speaking to someone older or in a position of authority, it is more respectful to use the pronoun אתה (atah) for both men and women. This cultural nuance is essential to understand and apply when using pronouns in Hebrew.

Practice Exercises

Now it's time to practice using Hebrew pronouns! Complete the following exercises by filling in the blanks with the appropriate pronouns. Check the solution provided below to see if you got them right.

1. זה __________ מכונית שלי. (ze ________ machonit sheli.) 2. אתה יודע איפה ________ המפתחות שלי? (atah yode'a eifo ________ hamafte'chot sheli?) 3. הם רוצים לקנות __________ דירה בעיר. (hem rotzim liknot ________ dira ba'ir.) 4. __________ הוא הספר שלך? (__________ hu hasefer shelcha?) 5. היא אוהבת את __________ תמונה. (hi ohevet et __________ t'muna.)

Exercise Solutions

1. זה היא מכונית שלי. (ze hi machonit sheli.) 2. אתה יודע איפה הם המפתחות שלי? (atah yode'a eifo hem hamafte'chot sheli?) 3. הם רוצים לקנות את הדירה בעיר. (hem rotzim liknot et hadira ba'ir.) 4. הוא היא הספר שלך? (hu hi hasefer shelcha?) 5. היא אוהבת את התמונה. (hi ohevet et hatmuna.)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned about Hebrew pronouns. We covered personal pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, possessive pronouns, and interrogative pronouns. Make sure to practice using them in your everyday conversations to reinforce your understanding. Remember to pay attention to cultural nuances when using pronouns, as it can greatly impact the impression you make. Keep up the good work, and soon you'll be using Hebrew pronouns like a pro!

Table of Contents - Hebrew Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Hebrew Alphabet

• Consonants
• Vowels
• Nikkud
• Reading Practice

  ---

Everyday Hebrew Vocabulary

• Greetings
• Numbers
• Family Members
• Colors, Shapes, and Sizes
• Food and Drink
• Clothing
• Transportation and Travel
• Weather
• Time and Calendar

  ---

Hebrew Grammar

• Nouns
• Pronouns
• Adjectives
• Verbs
• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

Israeli Culture

• Jewish Holidays
• Israeli Society
• Famous Israelis
• Israeli Cuisine

  ---

Hebrew Expressions

• Common Phrases
• Slang
• Idioms

  ---

Hebrew Numbers

• Ordinal Numbers
• Fractions and Decimals

  ---

Hebrew Geography and Landmarks

• Cities and Regions
• Landmarks

  ---

Hebrew Literature and Language

• Hebrew Poetry
• Hebrew Proverbs

  ---

Grammar Review

• Review of Nouns and Pronouns
• Review of Adjectives
• Review of Verbs

Sources

• Pronoun Personal — unfoldingWord® Hebrew Grammar 1 ...
• Appendix:Hebrew pronouns - Wiktionary
• A Comprehensive Guide to Hebrew Pronouns

Other Lessons

• Negation
• How to Use Be
• Future Tense
• Personal pronouns and the present tense
• Give your Opinion
• Questions
• Adjectives
• Nouns
• Plurals

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